Written questions by Bool.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57936 on Strategic Defence Review, whether the findings from the internal survey and call for evidence were published or summarised.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was informed by an unprecedented level of consultation. The findings from the internal survey and call for evidence informed the 'Review and Challenge' phase of the SDR; during which 27 panels, comprised of more than 150 experts, tested propositions relating to UK Defence between October and November 2024. The testing of findings continued throughout the 'decision-making and finalisation' phase between December 2024 and May 2025. The output from the challenge and review rounds were included in the SDR published in June 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57939 on Investment: Fraud, what criteria HMRC uses to determine whether a tax liability arising from an investment scheme promoted through fraudulent means constitutes a genuine tax liability.

I refer the honorable Member to the response to UIN 57939. Where an individual disagrees with HMRC’s decision on their tax liability, they can appeal by requesting HMRC reviews the decision, use an Alternative Dispute Resolution process in appropriate cases, or by making an appeal to the independent tax tribunal. HMRC appreciates and recognises dealing with tax, financial hardship, or debt can lead to pressure on people. All HMRC advisers are given training and guidance on how to identify customers who need extra help and how to provide tailored support themselves or refer the customer to HMRC’s specialist extra support provision. In January HMRC published its approach to dealing with agents, which has established the Standard for Agents, and is currently consulting on enhanced powers to tackle non-compliance facilitated by tax agents. It will publish guidance shortly, which will set out its approach to preventing and addressing intermediary harm and also support customers to identify signs of harmful intermediary behaviour, including fraud. In April HMRC launched a new Compliance Interactive Guidance Tool on GOV.UK to help customers more easily find guidance on compliance checks and extra support available, particularly for unrepresented customers and those with extra support needs.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 57928 on Armed Force: Deployment, what steps his Department is taking to monitor the impact of overseas postings on retention rates among service personnel; and whether financial incentives are being reviewed as part of that analysis.

The Ministry of Defence continuously analyses retention data through the use of tools such as staff surveys and exit interviews, to better understand the reasons why personnel leave Service. With this information we seek to improve the offer made to new and existing personnel to make a career in the Armed Forces the first choice for high performing candidates. Retention payments remain under constant review and are targeted where they provide the best value for recruitment, retention and the taxpayer. Service personnel posted overseas may be eligible for a number of financial measures including Local Overseas Allowance designed to offset differences in the cost of living, X-Factor pay which compensates for the conditions faced by Service personnel, including the impact of isolation and separation from families and Unpleasant Living or Unpleasant Work Allowances for those deployed to particularly remote or operationally demanding locations. The Ministry of Defence continually reviews and monitors the allowance package to ensure it remains appropriate for varying local economic circumstances through feedback from deployed Service personnel.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57936 on Strategic Defence Review, what proportion of the 1,700 people who responded to the call for evidence were (a) serving personnel and (b) veterans.

I am unable to provide an exact proportion. However, during the call for evidence phase of the Strategic Defence Review serving personnel and veterans were encouraged to submit a response, of which approximately 800 responses came from within the Ministry of Defence, Armed Forces, and veteran community.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 2025 June to Question 57929 on Armed Force: Recruitment, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the accelerated recruitment process maintains rigorous standards in (a) training and (b) suitability assessments.

The current Government inherited a crisis in recruitment and retention from the last administration. We have made a series of announcements to improve Armed Forces recruitment and retention. We are committed to maintaining the high standards of recruitment needed to build and maintain battle winning Armed Forces while still accelerating the recruitment process. The Services are improving training to recruitment personnel to maintain rigorous standards and ensure recruits become operationally effective quickly. Additionally, they are improving the digital exchange of medical information with civilian GPs. While specific numerical targets and timelines have not yet been formally published, we have initiated a series of reforms aimed at addressing challenges in these areas. In addition, from 2027 the new Armed Forces Recruiting Service will provide a streamlined, single-entry point for prospective recruits, with the aim of recruiting from the broadest spectrum of society to attract the best talent into the Armed Forces. It will replace individual Service schemes and will modernise and improve how people join the Armed Forces. It will be a key enabler in building the future force, ensuring that the British Armed Forces remain equipped with skilled, motivated, and capable personnel ready to meet evolving global challenges.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 56077 on Farmer: Mental Health, what (a) funding and (b) support his Department is providing directly to farming welfare charities to enhance mental health outreach and services in rural and agricultural communities.

Delivery of mental health interventions sits with the Department for Health and Social Care, who are investing in mental health to ensure it receives the same attention as physical health. This includes the hiring of 8,500 new mental health support workers, which will reduce delays and provide faster treatment closer to people’s homes – including in rural communities. Defra is supporting farming welfare charities through funding the Farmer Welfare Grant. This aids organisations to deliver projects which will support mental health and build resilience in local farming communities. One recipient, the Farming Community Network, is using the funding to expand their FarmWell platform. This online resource provides business and personal resilience advice on topics including mental health, isolation, depression and suicide.   Currently, grant recipients operate in Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and online via the FCN’s FarmWell platform. The RPA also runs a Welfare Forum, which brings together England’s largest farming and welfare organisations that provide mental health support to discuss issues farmers are facing.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 57928 on Armed Force: Deployment, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the current allowance package in meeting the cost-of-living differences for service personnel deployed in high-cost overseas locations.

To account for the differences in the cost-of-living in overseas locations, eligible Service personnel are entitled to Local Overseas Allowance (LOA). LOA recognises the amount by which average essential day-to-day expenditure in an overseas location differs from that in the UK. LOA is calculated with regard to the difference in living costs, locally lived experience, and locally specific costs such as legally required items or banking charges. LOA transitioned to a new, more accurate methodology in October 2024 which uses both Office for National Statistics and commercially available data to make it more responsive to prices faced by Service personnel. The Ministry of Defence continually reviews and monitors the allowance package to ensure it remains appropriate for varying local economic circumstances through feedback from deployed Service personnel. The overall remuneration package for Service personnel deployed overseas recognises the unique demands of Service life and includes X-Factor pay which compensates for the conditions faced by Service personnel, including the impact of isolation and separation from families. Those deployed to particularly remote or operationally demanding locations, may also be entitled to Unpleasant Living or Unpleasant Work Allowances. Although overseas location specific financial incentives were not considered during the Strategic Defence Review process, the importance of overall pay and other related measures were explored.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 57928 on Armed Force: Deployment, whether he considered introducing a specific financial incentive or hardship allowance for service personnel deployed to operationally demanding or remote overseas postings in the Strategic Defence Review.

To account for the differences in the cost-of-living in overseas locations, eligible Service personnel are entitled to Local Overseas Allowance (LOA). LOA recognises the amount by which average essential day-to-day expenditure in an overseas location differs from that in the UK. LOA is calculated with regard to the difference in living costs, locally lived experience, and locally specific costs such as legally required items or banking charges. LOA transitioned to a new, more accurate methodology in October 2024 which uses both Office for National Statistics and commercially available data to make it more responsive to prices faced by Service personnel. The Ministry of Defence continually reviews and monitors the allowance package to ensure it remains appropriate for varying local economic circumstances through feedback from deployed Service personnel. The overall remuneration package for Service personnel deployed overseas recognises the unique demands of Service life and includes X-Factor pay which compensates for the conditions faced by Service personnel, including the impact of isolation and separation from families. Those deployed to particularly remote or operationally demanding locations, may also be entitled to Unpleasant Living or Unpleasant Work Allowances. Although overseas location specific financial incentives were not considered during the Strategic Defence Review process, the importance of overall pay and other related measures were explored.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57936 on Strategic Defence Review, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the views of junior ranks and underrepresented groups within the armed forces were captured during the consultation process for the Strategic Defence Review 2025.

The Strategic Defence Review was informed by an unprecedented level of consultation. The call for evidence phase explicitly invited responses from serving military personnel. They were invited to respond to both the public call for evidence and an internal Departmental survey, which saw 800 responses.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57939 on Investment: Fraud, whether HMRC has a formal process for reviewing tax demands issued to individuals who have been identified as victims of financial fraud.

I refer the honorable Member to the response to UIN 57939. Where an individual disagrees with HMRC’s decision on their tax liability, they can appeal by requesting HMRC reviews the decision, use an Alternative Dispute Resolution process in appropriate cases, or by making an appeal to the independent tax tribunal. HMRC appreciates and recognises dealing with tax, financial hardship, or debt can lead to pressure on people. All HMRC advisers are given training and guidance on how to identify customers who need extra help and how to provide tailored support themselves or refer the customer to HMRC’s specialist extra support provision. In January HMRC published its approach to dealing with agents, which has established the Standard for Agents, and is currently consulting on enhanced powers to tackle non-compliance facilitated by tax agents. It will publish guidance shortly, which will set out its approach to preventing and addressing intermediary harm and also support customers to identify signs of harmful intermediary behaviour, including fraud. In April HMRC launched a new Compliance Interactive Guidance Tool on GOV.UK to help customers more easily find guidance on compliance checks and extra support available, particularly for unrepresented customers and those with extra support needs.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 56077 on Farmer: Mental Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the 8,500 new mental health support workers include specialists trained to address the unique mental health needs of farming and rural populations.

As part of our mission to build a National Health Service that is fit for the future and that is there when people need it, we are recruiting 8,500 mental health workers across child and adult mental health services to help ease pressure on busy services. It is the responsibility of employers to ensure that their employees are trained and have the appropriate skills for the roles into which they have been appointed.We are working with NHS England on a refreshed workforce plan, which will revolve around the three shifts to deliver our 10-Year Health Plan: moving more care from hospitals to communities; making better use of technology in health and care; and focusing on preventing sickness, not just treating it.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 57929 on Armed Forces: Recruitment, whether the Department plans to set out (a) specific targets and (b) timelines for improving recruitment and retention in each of the Armed Forces branches.

The current Government inherited a crisis in recruitment and retention from the last administration. We have made a series of announcements to improve Armed Forces recruitment and retention. We are committed to maintaining the high standards of recruitment needed to build and maintain battle winning Armed Forces while still accelerating the recruitment process. The Services are improving training to recruitment personnel to maintain rigorous standards and ensure recruits become operationally effective quickly. Additionally, they are improving the digital exchange of medical information with civilian GPs. While specific numerical targets and timelines have not yet been formally published, we have initiated a series of reforms aimed at addressing challenges in these areas. In addition, from 2027 the new Armed Forces Recruiting Service will provide a streamlined, single-entry point for prospective recruits, with the aim of recruiting from the broadest spectrum of society to attract the best talent into the Armed Forces. It will replace individual Service schemes and will modernise and improve how people join the Armed Forces. It will be a key enabler in building the future force, ensuring that the British Armed Forces remain equipped with skilled, motivated, and capable personnel ready to meet evolving global challenges.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57939 on Investment: Fraud, what steps HMRC is taking to improve (a) communication (b) access to specialist caseworkers, (c) financial hardship assessments and (d) other support to individuals facing tax demands linked to fraudulent investment schemes.

I refer the honorable Member to the response to UIN 57939. Where an individual disagrees with HMRC’s decision on their tax liability, they can appeal by requesting HMRC reviews the decision, use an Alternative Dispute Resolution process in appropriate cases, or by making an appeal to the independent tax tribunal. HMRC appreciates and recognises dealing with tax, financial hardship, or debt can lead to pressure on people. All HMRC advisers are given training and guidance on how to identify customers who need extra help and how to provide tailored support themselves or refer the customer to HMRC’s specialist extra support provision. In January HMRC published its approach to dealing with agents, which has established the Standard for Agents, and is currently consulting on enhanced powers to tackle non-compliance facilitated by tax agents. It will publish guidance shortly, which will set out its approach to preventing and addressing intermediary harm and also support customers to identify signs of harmful intermediary behaviour, including fraud. In April HMRC launched a new Compliance Interactive Guidance Tool on GOV.UK to help customers more easily find guidance on compliance checks and extra support available, particularly for unrepresented customers and those with extra support needs.

What steps he is taking to support (a) South Northamptonshire and (b) other local authorities to improve grid connections for clean energy projects under the Connections Accelerator Service.

Clean energy projects in South Northamptonshire and other local authorities will benefit from ongoing reforms to the grid connection process which will release up to 500GW of capacity from the queue, enabling accelerated connections for schemes that are ready to progress and aligned with our strategic needs, as set out in the Clean Power Action Plan. As set out in the Industrial Strategy, the Connections Accelerator Service will support demand projects to connect to the grid, including prioritising those that create high-quality jobs and bring the greatest economic value.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 56077 on Farmer: Mental Health, what findings have been identified through the Farmer Opinion Tracker on mental health challenges; and how these findings are informing agricultural policy development.

We listen to what farmers are telling us, reporting in our statistical series the strength of sentiment through both numbers and from the open response questions. Findings, alongside our engagement with farmers at shows and events and with representative bodies, including farming welfare charities, all contribute to a better understanding of the issues farmers are facing and how the delivery of schemes and other interventions can impact not just on businesses but also on farmers’ own personal resilience and mental health. In the Farmer Opinion Tracker, we hear views from farmers across a range of issues relating to farming and we recognise that confidence remains low. Findings can be found on GOV.YK by searching ‘Farming Opinion Tracker’.

Whether he plans to increase (a) the number of technical excellence colleges and (b) AI skills training to support the (i) advanced manufacturing and (ii) clean energy sectors in South Northamptonshire constituency, in the context of the skill commitments set out in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, published on 23 June 2025.

Our Industrial Strategy puts skills at the heart of economic growth. This means ensuring training opportunities match growth areas like artificial intelligence (AI).We are introducing Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) to specialise in training skilled workforces for priority sectors, starting with Construction TECs. The number and design of TECs will reflect sectors’ needs, and further information will be published in due course. The government will introduce short courses in England, funded through the Growth and Skills Levy, in areas such as digital, AI and engineering.The Technology Adoption Review (June 2025) considered barriers to adoption of transformative technologies across the Industrial Strategy’s priority sectors. The AI Opportunities Action Plan (January 2025) considered barriers for AI take-up across the economy aligned with the Industrial Strategy. The government will take forward all 50 recommendations, including recommendations on AI Skills and Talent.The Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan (June 2025) set out government’s approach to supporting AI, including via one-stop-shops to offer expert advice for businesses around technology adoption.The Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan (June 2025) establishes actions the government is taking to integrate AI into clean energy sectors, including accepting the findings of the Technology Adoption Review.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed consolidation of small grants into larger funding pots on West Northamptonshire Council.

The Government is delivering its commitment to simplify the local government funding landscape by consolidating as much revenue funding as possible across departments into the Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS). This will significantly streamline and rationalise local government funding, giving local authorities much greater certainty about their budgets in the coming years, allowing them to make more effective financial decisions.The consolidation of grants will also reduce the resources that local authorities spend monitoring and reporting on grant conditions. This will free-up resources for public services and enable local authorities to decide the most effective way to spend money in their communities.Further detail will be published at the provisional LGFS later this year.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed Fair Funding Review 2.0 on the financial settlement for North Northamptonshire Council.

On 20 June 2025, we launched the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation on proposals to update and reform the funding system through the 2026-27 Local Government Finance Settlement. Subject to consultation, our proposals will create a balanced, more transparent and simpler Settlement.We will publish the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this year, which will inform local authorities, including North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire Councils, of their provisional multi-year allocations, and allow authorities to make budget decisions and plan for the course of the multi-year Settlement.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed Fair Funding Review 2.0 on the financial settlement for West Northamptonshire Council.

On 20 June 2025, we launched the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation on proposals to update and reform the funding system through the 2026-27 Local Government Finance Settlement. Subject to consultation, our proposals will create a balanced, more transparent and simpler Settlement.We will publish the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this year, which will inform local authorities, including North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire Councils, of their provisional multi-year allocations, and allow authorities to make budget decisions and plan for the course of the multi-year Settlement.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with the Food Standards Agency on a revision to its draft guidance on precision breeding to ensure it does not impose GMO-style data requirements.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has worked closely with Defra throughout the development of the Precision Breeding legislation and will continue to do so. Following stakeholder engagement on the draft technical guidance for Precision Bred organisms for food and feed use, the FSA is currently revising its draft technical guidance to be clearer about what information the Precision Breeding Regulations require.